Apparatus for forming a sliver from a fiber web produced in a card

ABSTRACT

A method of forming a sliver from a fiber web produced in a card which comprises the steps of subjecting the formed web immediately after it is withdrawn to a precondensing action or preliminary condensation by laterally collecting the web towards the middle thereof, and subsequently condensing such web into a sliver by means of a known type of condensing device to essentially complete the formation. The invention also pertains to apparatus for forming a sliver in accordance with the aforesaid inventive method wherein a sliver condensing device is arranged after a web take-off device of the card, and between the web take-off device and the sliver condensing device there is provided movable precondensing means in the form of at least one substantially cylindrical-type roller or having at least one substantially cylindrical circumferential precondensing surface disposed in a plane which is in substantially perpendicular relationship with respect to the plane in which the web moves for forming a precondensed strand of fibers by laterally collecting the fiber web.

United States Patent [191 Staeheli 1 1 July 30, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FORFORMING A SLIVER 1,155,598 6/1969 Great Britain 19/150 FROM A FIBER WEBPRODUCED [N A 17,801 10/1856 France 19/106 R Inventor: Paul Staeheli,Wilen, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Rieter Machine Works, Ltd.,

Winterthur, Switzerland [22] Filed: Jan. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:323,650

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.95,619, Dec. 7,

1970, abandoned.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 12, 1969 Switzerland18499/69 Nov. 19, 1970 Switzerland 17167/70 52 us. c1. 19/150, 19/106R[51] Int. Cl D0lh 15/46 [58] Field of Search 19/150, 106 R [5 6]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 775.804 11/1904 Eastwood 19/1502,326,331 8/1943 Chantler .1 19/150 2,795,010 6/1957 Hess 19/150 X3,113,348 12/1963 Varga 19/106 R 3,345,700 10/1967 Kalwaites .Q 19/150FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS CARD 1875 Great Britain 19/150 PrimaryExaminer-Dorsey Newton Attorney, Agent, or FirmWerner W. Kleeman 1ABSTRACT A method of forming a sliver from a fiber web produced in acard which comprises the steps of subjecting the formed web immediatelyafter it is withdrawn provided movable pr'econdensing means in the formof at least one substantiallycylindrical-type roller or having at leastone substantially cylindrical circumferential precondensing surfacedisposed in a plane which is in substantially perpendicular relationshipwith respect to the plane in which the web moves for forming aprecondensed strand of fibers by laterally collecting the fiber web.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENIEB 3.8%5375 $8551 20? 2 R 6 7 59.6 i 27 l i l x 23 Y J APPARATUS FOR FORMING A SLIVER FROM A FIBER WEBPRODUCED IN A CARD CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE This application is acontinuation-in-part application of my commonly assigned US.application, Ser. No. 95,619, filed Dec. 7, 1970, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new andimproved method of forming a sliver from a fiber web produced in a cardand also pertains to a new and improved apparatus for the implementationof the aforesaid method.

The formation of a sliver from a fiber web produced in a card is knownas such to the art. Previously, such was undertaken by directlycondensingthe produced fiber web in a suitable condensing devicearranged after the web take-off device, for instance, at asocalledsliver funnel condenser or calender condenser.

However, in cards of the prior art heretofore known and equipped with acondensing device at the delivery arrangement, the delivery speed orthrough-put speed, respectively, of the web between the web take-offdevice or a delivery roll arrangement on one side and the condensingdevice on the other side should not exceed, as experience has shown, acertain maximum speed, otherwise the selvages of the web at higherspeeds tend to form fringes or the web itself is torn, thus causingdisturbances in operation and impairing product quallty.

Now in order to somewhat alleviate the danger ofthe above-discussedfringe formation or tearing of the web, proposals have already beenadvanced towards arranging one or-two easily rotatably mounted guide orsupport rolls possessing conical surfaces along the normal path oftravel of the endangered web selvages. Owing to this measure, theformation of fringes or the tearing ofthe web selvages was reducedwithin the range ofthe heretofore conventional upper limits of thethroughput speeds, but, however, no or at least no appreciable increaseofthe throughput speed or the card productivity was achieved. One suchtype prior art system is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,326,33l, grantedAug. 10, I943, and listing as the inventor Thomas Chantler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION apparatus for, forming a sliver from a fiberweb pro,-

duced in a card, which is not associated with the aforementioneddrawbacks of'the prior art equipment and manufacturing techniques, andtherefore effectively, economically and reliably fulfillsthe existingneed of the art.

In-keeping with the aforenoted general objective of the presentinvention, it is a primary object thereof to ensure for maximum increasein productivity of a card through the utilization of a fiber webcondenser arranged after the fiber web take-off device of the card andto further ensure for disturbance-free operation of the equipment.

The just-mentioned objective of the invention can be realized throughthe activity of laterally collecting and precondensing or partiallycompacting the fiber web produced in the card .substantially over itsentire width immediately after such web has been taken-off or deliveredfrom the card, and then subsequently condensing the web in a condenserof known construction.

Now drafting arrangements, particularly drafting arrangements of drawframes, are known to the art where the web which is delivered istaken-off via a funnelshaped delivery duct. This duct performs somecollecting action upon the web. However, with such type funnels, thecard web would be torn.

On the other hand, such precondensing action or preliminary compactioncan be effectively achieved at a card equipped with a sliver condenserarranged after the web take-off device if, according to the teachings ofthe present invention, there is-provided between the web take-off deviceand a conventional sliver condensing device a precondensing orprecompacting apparatuswhich, as contemplated bythe invention, isequipped with movable precondensing means disposed to form aprecondensed strand of fibers by laterally collecting the fiber web.

Apart from the foregoing objects of the invention, a further objectivethereof is directed at facilitating the threading of the fiber web intothe precondensing elements, and if fringes start forming at the fiberweb selvages, to avoid further tearingof the web and to guide thosefringes which may have formed back-into the fiber bodyor fiber webstructure.

It is here also to be remarked that the prior art is equallyfamiliarwith an arrangement of guiding elements possessing relativelysteep sliding surfaces, such as guide plates, funnels, and the like, atthe web output side of .the card, for the purpose of guiding thedelivered fiber web into the sliver funnel. Yet, if the sliding surfacesare not inclined sufficiently, that is, if they are not steep enough,thenthese state-of-the-art arrangements can cause local bunching-up andtearing of the fiber due to local variations in the adhesion properties,thus adversely affecting the uniformity of the thusprodu'ced sliver.

Therefore, with this deficiency of the prior art in mind, a furtherobject of the invention is to eliminate these above-noted disadvantages.

According to the invention, this can be effectively achieved byarranging a support element at the output side of the card, whichsupport element possesses a fiber web-support area extending at leastsubstantiallyacross the full width of the precondensing zone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be betterunderstood and objects other than those set forth above, will becomeapparent when consideration is given to the following detaileddescription thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of the delivery end region of a cardequipped with a first embodimentof inventive apparatus for the practiceof the inventive method;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view, similar to a certain extent to theshowing of FIG. 1, and depicting an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are respective schematic views of various shapes forthe cross-section of the precon- V densing members which can be used inthe apparatus FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment depicted inFIG. viewed substantially along the line VIVI thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a side view of a further modified arrangement of inventiveapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the exemplaryembodiments of apparatus depicted hereinafter throughout the variousfigures, it will be understood that the various embodiments of theinvention have been shown, by way of example, located at the deliveryside or end I of the doffer role or arrangement la of a card equipped,for instance, with a pair of web take-off rolls 2 for a fiber web 3.

Referring now more specifically to the embodiment of equipment depictedin FIG. 1, it will be seen that such comprises a web take-off device 2,for instance formed by roll means, arranged at the delivery side or endI of a card. Further, at a short distance from such roll means 2 and thelengthwise extending web take-off or delivery axis 4, which at thislocation coincides with the longitudinal axis or longitudinal centerlineofthe card, there. is provided a freely or easily rotatable rollermember 5 possessing a substantially cylindrical surface, i.e., asubstantially cylindrical circumferential precondensing surface. Rollermember 5 is not driven, rather is freely rotatable and dragged by theweb 3 and serves as a movable precondensing element or member for theweb 3 in order to transform same into a precondensed or partiallycompacted strand of fibers 6. Furthermore,"

this roll or roller member 5 is advantageously adjustably positionableby means of any suitable adjustment mechanism, such as a guide slotarrangement as indicated at location 5a. After-the precondensed orprecompacted strand of fibers 6 is sharply deflected about thecylindrical roll or roller member 5 forming a defined angle at least toone side at almost a right angle with respect to the longitudinal axisof the card to provide a relativelyhigh degree of precondensing actionover a relatively short distance, the final condensing operation occursin a funnel member 7 and a pair of calender rolls 8. Due to the sharpdeflection of the web to one side. as just discussed, the web isgathered together or collected and precondensed into the strand offibers 6. In order to counteract any possible tendency of fringeformation or tearing of the web selvage 9 opposite' the delivery side,it is possible to arrange at such side a conventional guide and supportroll 10 possessing, for example, a conical surface as discussed at theoutset of this disclosure with respect to the prior art. The guide andsupport roll 10, which, as shown, is ar ranged along the selvage of theweb is displaceably mounted in a schematically illustrated guideslottype adjustment mechanism 10a so that its position may be varied oradjusted in accordance with the web path. In

FIG. 2 illustrates a further'embodiment of the invention wherein thesliver delivery axis 11 of the equipment coincides with the longitudinalaxis of the card, which for convenience in illustration has not herebeen shown, but reference may be had to the delivery side or end 1 ofthe card of FIG. 1. In this modified version, two non-driven rolls orroller members 14 possessing substantially cylindrical circumferentialprecondensing surfaces are supported such that they are easily rotatableand arranged to both sides of the web take-off axis 11 at a shortdistance from the web take-off device 12 for the web 13, as clearlyshown. These rolls 14 are provided for the purpose of laterallygathering together or collecting and precondensing the web oversubstantially its entire width,'and additionally, are mounted at theschematically indicated adjustment mechanism 14a in a manner so thatthey are adjustable in all directions and preferably mutually withrespect to one another. The desired partial compaction or partialdensification of the web 3 over its entire width can be achieved bymeans of substantially cylindrical rolls or roller members 5 (FIG. 1) or14 (FIG. 2) disposed at a relatively close distance from the center lineof the fiber flowand as closely as possible near the take-off device atthe web delivery end of the carding engine, as shown. Within certainlimits,'it is possible to select the spacing or distance between therolls l4 and the web take-off device so as to be assmall as desired, butfor purposes of easier operation such distance is chosen just largeenough that the web 13 can be easily manually guided about the rolls 14during the drawing-in or threading operation. Consequently, both lateraledges or selvages of the web 13 in particular are deflected through acomparatively acute angle towards the lengthwise takeoff axisllimmediately after leaving the web take-off device 12, the web 13 thusbeing subjected to the aforementioned collecting and precondensing orprecompacting action. At this time, its volume is still many timesgreater than the volume of the sliver 16 resulting after final fibercompaction or condensation. To ensure for optimum collecting andprecondensing of the web 13 into a strand of fibers 15 under as manyconditions as possible, it is desirable, as mentioned above, that therolls 14 be adjustable in their position in all directions. Furthermore,as mentioned heretofore, to prevent any possible tendency offringeformation or tearing of the web selvages, particularly in the case ofcards possessing a very large working width, it may be advantageous toprovide along each of the edges or selvages of the web an adjustablypositionable guide and support roll 17 having a conical surface, and theadjustment of which can be readily realized by the-provision of anysuitable and therefore merely schematically illustrated adjustmentmechanism 170.

The position of the precondensing rolls 14 indicated in phantom lines inFIG. 2 and the path of the selvage of the web 13 corresponding to thisposition of the rolls 14 represents that position of such rolls 14 wherethey just still exert an influence upon the web, and thus represents theminimum permissible precondensing action.

In FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c, respectively, there are shown differentcross-sectional configurations of precondensing roll surfaces deviatingsomewhat from a cylindrical shape (but which may be still considered tobe encompassed by the expression cylindricalT roller or equiva lentterminology) and which configurations are suitable for the precondensingrolls 5, l4 discussed above. It will be observed that thecylindrical-type roller 5 or 14 of FIG. 30 has a somewhat concave outersurface.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is represented therein a still furtherembodiment of the inventive equipment where instead of usingprecondensing rolls, there is this time provided a precondensing member19 in the form of a belt arranged at each side of the web. Each belt islocated at two easily or freely rotatable support rolls 20 which are notdriven, yet which may be'positionally adjusted with the aid of anysuitable adjusting mechanism indicated by reference character 200. Whenworking with especially large webs, it is possible to provide an.

additional guide and support roll 21 for each precondensing member 19,this guide roll 21 likewise being suitably adjusted, as indicated by theadjustment mechanism 21a. Hence, the web 18 and each precondensing thesliver condensing funnel arrangement 7, as particularly clearly depictedin FIG. 6. The manner of attachment of the support element 22 to thecard frame can be realized in any suitable manner. Any impurities orother foreign contaminants possibly carried by the web can spill offover the edges of the support element 22.v

Now, in accordance with a modification of the invention, this supportelement 22 together with its support surface 23 for the fiber web 3canbe divided in the sliver delivery or output direction, as best shown byre-- ferring to the arrangement of FIG. 7, into at least two sections orparts 22a and 22b. Thesesupport sections 22a and 22b possess therespective support surface portions 23a and23b which preferably extendacross'the full width of the precondensing zone, a gap, which has notbeen particularly referenced in the drawing, being belt 19 can assumethe configuration or contour inditype precondensing roll 5 or 14 of thetype shown in FIGS. 1 or 2, and at the other side of such axis a beltrotatably supported on the rolls according to the arrangement of FIG. 4just discussed and shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1 at the left thereof.This modification is therefore equally contemplated by theteachings ofthe present invention and can be readily realized.

Continuing, and referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that at theoutput or delivery side 1 of the card,

there is arranged a support element 22 in close proximity to and belowthe delivered fiber web 3. This support element or member 22, on the onehand, extends into close proximity to the pair of web take-off rolls 2and,

I on the other hand, extends at least substantially across the fullwidth of the precondensing zone, as best recognized by referring to FIG.6. Furthermore, the width of the support element 22 and its support area23 may decrease in the delivery or output direction in accordance withthe lateral condensation of the fiber web 3 which increases from thepair of take-off rolls 2 in the direction of and to the pair ofprecondensing rolls 5.

Additionally, it is of importance that the support element 22 bearranged in such manner that its upper side or surface, functioning asthe actual supporting area 23 for the fiber web, merges into the zone ofaction or operable zone of the precondensing elements 5 immediatelyabove the lower edge of such precondensing elements. as best recognizedby referring to FIG. 5. Furthermore, it has been found useful to extendthe support element 22 and its supporting surface 23 in the sliverdelivery or take-off direction further than the actual operable zone ofthe precondensing elements 5,

and under certain circumstances, into close vicinity to formed betweenthe two support sections and through which impurities and other foreigncontaminants possibly carried by the web, such as seed particles, aredropped. It is advantageous if at least one of both support sections22a, 22b, preferably however the support element section 22a arrangedtowards the web take-off device, be hingedly connected in any suitablemanner, for instance as indicated by the hinge joint 22a, to forinstance the card frame or the support element section 22b so that thesupport element section 22a is tiltably or pivotably arranged to removeimpuritiespossibly entrained by the web. Moreover, for periodicallypivoting this hingedly connected support section 22a automatically, itis possible, for instance, to provide an actuating or control devicecontrolled by a suitable timer, all as schematically shown by referencecharacter 24.

As has been quite surprisingly found, this arrangement brings about afurther advantage in terms of a noticeable or appreciable improvement ofthe precondensing action, and therefore, and in contrast to cards whichare not equipped with a precondensing device, has proven to beadvantageous even if the fiber web support surface is arrangedsubstantially horizontally since the fiber web is condensed, even thoughslightly,

when it contacts the support element 22 at the web take-off side owingto the slight frictional resistance prevailing at the web supportsurface While for convenience in illustration the arrangement of thesupport element 22 has been shown and described in FIG. 7 in conjunctionwith a precondensing device in the form of a pair of rolls 5, it shouldof course also be readily understood and recognized that this modifiedversion of the equipment can be equally utilized in conjunction withother embodiments of precondensing devices as heretofore described.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but maybe otherwise variously embodied and'practicedwithin the scope of the following claims. ACCORD- INGLY, What is claimedis:

I. An apparatus for forming a sliver from a fiber web produced at a cardpossessing a web delivery side, comprising a web take-off devicearranged at the web delivery side of the card and a sliver condensingdevice arranged after said web take-off device and extending to bothsides of the longitudinal centerline of the card, movable substantiallycylindrical precondensing means for forming a precondensed strand offibers by laterally collecting and partially compacting the fiber websubstantially across its entire width, said substantially cylindricalprecondensing means being located in a precondensing zone for the weband disposed between said web take-off device and said sliver condensingdevice and in close proximity to the longitudinal axis of the card, asupport element provided with a support surface for the fiber weblocated at the web delivery side of the card, said take-off devicecomprising a pair of web take-off rolls, said support element extendingfrom said pair of web take-off rolls at least substantially across thefull width of the precondensing zone bemounted support section of thesupport element.

1. An apparatus for forming a sliver from a fiber web produced at a cardpossessing a web delivery side, comprising a web takeoff device arrangedat the web delivery side of the card and a sliver condensing devicearranged after said web take-off device and extending to both sides ofthe longitudinal centerline of the card, movable substantiallycylindrical precondensing means for forming a precondensed strand offibers by laterally collecting and partially compacting the fiber websubstantially across its entire width, said substantially cylindricalprecondensing means being located in a precondensing zone for the weband disposed between said web take-off device and said sliver condensingdevice and in close proximity to the longitudinal axis of the card, asupport element provided with a support surface for the fiber weblocated at the web delivery side of the card, said take-off devicecomprising a pair of web take-off rolls, said support element extendingfrom said pair of web take-off rolls at least substantially across thefull width of the precondensing zone between said take-off device andsaid precondensing means, said precondensing means being effective at anoperable zone and said support element together with its support surfacemerges into said operable zone of said precondensing means immediatelyabove a lower edge of said precondensing means, said support elementtogether with its support surface being divided into at least twosupport sections in the direction of travel of the web, means forpivotably mounting at least one of said support sections, and actuatingmeans for periodically automatically tilting the pivotably mountedsupport section of the support element.